A Calgary-based rally team, The Gear Shop Technical Motorsport Team (GSTM), has etched its name in motorsport history as the first and only Canadian team to book its ticket to two of the world’s toughest off-road races: the 2025 Rallye du Maroc (Morocco Rally) and the 2026 Dakar Rally.Led by driver and team founder Nathan Hayashi, the up-and-coming team’s stunning journey began with a class win and runner-up overall finish at the Sonora Rally in Mexico earlier this year, earning them a spot on the international stage.The Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA), the governing body for global motorsport events like Formula One and the legendary Dakar Rally, sets strict standards for rally raid competitions.To comply, GSTM chose a 2023 Ford Bronco Raptor, a vehicle that Hayashi says was “basically rolled off the showroom floor.”The team made minimal modifications, focusing on safety with a roll cage, race seats, harnesses, fire suppression systems, and engine cut-off mechanisms..MAKICHUK: Today's Formula One could use some 'Villeneuve passion'.“We didn’t touch the suspension or the factory tires,” Hayashi told the Western Standard.“We just took the interior out and put the race cage in. That was for the SCORE certification that we needed to get into the FIA. We added some shielding underneath to protect from sand and debris, but there wasn’t anything else we did with the vehicle.”The Raptor’s factory features — 37-inch tires, bead-lock wheels, front and rear lockers, and a 3.0-litre EcoBoost turbo engine — required no engine or suspension tweaks, making it a perfect choice compared to alternatives GSTM had previously considered, such as the Porsche Cayenne.The FIA was originally resistant to approving the Raptor, an unconventional choice for rally raid, but after persistent communication and meeting specifications, they not only green-lit the vehicle but also created a new “Ultimate Class” for Canadian teams, opening doors for future competitors.The team’s choice of the Bronco Raptor was suggested by their Ukraine-born technician Misha Onufriichuk.Onufriichuk, who joined GSTM after reaching out via Instagram, brought years of rally engineering experience from Europe.“For two years, I told Nathan about rally raid, how it’s beautiful,” he told CTV News. “Canada doesn’t have many teams like this. I want to help grow it here.”The road to qualification was far from smooth.Two years ago, Hayashi and his team met with Dakar Rally organizers, pitching their vision with a nod to the underdog spirit of the film Cool Runnings..“They asked if we’d done any rally raids before, and we said no,” Hayashi said.The organizers recommended the “Road to Dakar” series, which includes the Sonora Rally and Rallye du Maroc, as proving grounds before the big show.However, training in Calgary posed challenges due to the lack of desert-like terrain.“We’ve been fortunate that we’ve had a lot of experience with off-roading and guiding our customers off-road to locations,” Hayashi said. “However, in terms of the massive sand dunes in Mexico, we had absolutely no training.”To prepare, GSTM attended a rally camp in Mexico organized by Sonora Rally officials, expecting to learn about navigation, among other topics. Instead, they experienced a mock race alongside seasoned Dakar drivers.“We didn’t even have a race car or a navigator at that point,” Hayashi said. “We had to hit the ground running.”Despite this, GSTM excelled, covering up to 500 km daily over five grueling days to secure their class win..MAKICHUK: Newey quits Red Bull over F1 sexting scandal.Their long-term goal is ambitious: within three to five years, they aim to build a T1+ car — which Hayashi calls “the F1 of Dakar” — in-house with a twist: having it powered by clean energy, such as hydrogen or low-emission fuels.For now, their primary goal is to complete the Dakar Rally, a feat Hayashi calls “a significant achievement in itself.”As the sole competitors in their new class, finishing the highly demanding Dakar race would secure them a historic medal.“It’s about learning logistics, managing the car, and overcoming hardships,” Hayashi said. “We want to inspire more Canadians to join this sport and build a legacy.”
